Self standing medal

ABSTRACT

A self standing achievement medal that can be worn about the neck of the user in a conventional manner, or alternatively, when not being worn, can be conveniently and attractively displayed on a flat surface, such as found on a desk or bookshelf. The achievement medal includes a plate-like display surface upon which various decorations and indicia can be conveniently imprinted or engraved and a pivotally mounted, generally U-shaped support that can be conveniently moved from a stowed configuration to an extended configuration wherein the medal can be supported on a flat surface in a manner such that the indicia provided on the display surface of the medal is readily visible.

This is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.12,215,090 filed Jun. 24, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to awards. More particularly theinvention concerns a self standing award medal.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

To commemorate achievement in fields such as sports, business andacademics, it has become common practice to award achieving individualsvarious types of certificates, plaques, ribbons, medals and the like.For example, well known types of medals include the Gold, Silver, andBronze medals which are awarded at the Olympics and like sportingevents. The conventional prior art award medal generally consists of adisc-shaped plate that is typically formed by well-known molding andcasting techniques and is suspended on a chain or ribbon that is wornabout the neck of the recipient. In many instances the disk shaped medalincludes brightly colored decorative designs and often is engraved withindicia such as “first place”, “second place” and the like. While therelatively heavy weight of conventional, prior art medals provides agratifying feel when worn by the recipient, because of their weight themedals are generally worn only on special occasions. When the medal isnot being worn, the recipient often wishes to display the medal forviewing by others. However, the prior art offers little in the way ofconvenient means for appropriately displaying achievement medals.

In recognition of this prior art deficiency, the thrust of the presentinvention is to provide an achievement medal of a unique design that canbe worn by the recipient in a conventional manner and when not in usecan be conveniently and attractively displayed on any type of flatsurface, such as a desk, bookshelf or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By way of brief summary, one form of the achievement medal of thepresent invention comprises a body portion having a front, plate-likedisplay surface, a rear surface, and first and second sides, each sidehaving an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion. Afirst, outwardly extending pivot pin is connected to the first sideproximate its intermediate portion and a second outwardly extendingpivot pin is connected to the second side proximate its intermediateportion. To conveniently support the achievement medal on a flat surfacefor display purposes, a generally U-shaped support member is pivotallyconnected to the first and second pivot pins for movement between afirst stowed or folded position and a second extended, medal displayposition.

With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a new and improved achievement medal that can be worn about theneck of the user in a conventional manner, or alternatively, when notbeing worn, can be conveniently and attractively displayed on a flatsurface, such as found on a desk or bookshelf.

Another object of the invention is to provide an achievement medal ofthe aforementioned character that includes a plate-like display surfaceupon which various decorations and indicia can be conveniently imprintedor engraved.

Another object of the invention is to provide an achievement medal asdescribed in the preceding paragraphs that embodies a compact, easy touse support means provided in the form of a pivotally mounted, generallyU-shaped support that can be conveniently moved from a stowedconfiguration to an extended configuration wherein the medal can besupported on a flat surface in a manner such that the indicia providedon the display surface of the medal is readily visible.

Another object of the invention is to provide an award medal that can beof various configurations and can embody a wide variety of colorfulornamental designs.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved achievementmedal of the class described that is of a generally rugged construction,is durable in use and yet is of a simple design that can be economicallymass produced.

These and other objects of the invention will be achieved by the novelimproved achievement medal of the invention as illustrated in theattached drawings and described in the specification which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the selfstanding achievement medal of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a generally perspective view of the self standing achievementmedal illustrated in FIG. 1 as it appears in an assembled configurationwith the medal support in a folded configuration.

FIG. 3 is a generally perspective view of the self standing achievementmedal illustrated in FIG. 2, but showing the medal support in anextended configuration.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged right side view of the self standing medal.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged left side view of the self standing medal.

FIG. 6 is a generally perspective, rear view of the self standing medalof the invention showing the medal support in phantom lines.

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view of the area designated inFIG. 6 as 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a generally perspective front view of an alternate form ofself standing achievement medal of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a generally perspective rear view of the alternate form ofself standing achievement medal of the invention showing the medalsupport in phantom lines.

FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view of the area designatedin FIG. 9 as 10-10.

FIG. 11 is a generally perspective view of still another form of selfstanding achievement medal of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an exploded rear view of the alternate form of self standingachievement medal of the invention shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the alternate form of self standingachievement medal of the invention shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the alternate form of selfstanding achievement medal of the invention shown in FIG. 11, showing indotted lines the support member of the device in an extended position.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary, generally perspective view illustrating themanner of interconnection of the support member of the device to thebody portion thereof.

FIG. 16 is a generally perspective view of the alternate form of selfstanding achievement medal of the invention shown in FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, oneform of the self standing achievement medal of the invention is thereshown and generally designated by the numeral 14. The achievement medal14 here comprises a body 16 having a front substantially flat,plate-like display surface 18, a rear surface 20, and a continuousperipheral portion in the form of an outer rim or sidewall. Anupstanding decorative overlay 21 is affixed to body portion 16. Avariety of decorative and informative indicia can be affixed to andimprinted on overlay 21 and on display surface 18

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, body 16 has a first side 22 having anupper portion 22 a, a lower portion 22 b and an intermediate portion 22c. Similarly, body 16 has a second side 24 having an upper portion 24 a,a lower portion 24 b and an intermediate portion 24 c. For a purposepresently to be described, a first pivot pin 26 is connected to andextends outwardly from first side 22 proximate the intermediate portion22 c thereof. Similarly, a second pivot pin 28 is connected to andextends outwardly from second side 24 proximate the intermediate portion24 c thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, body 16 includes a curved topportion 16 a having an aperture 30 provided therein and a curved bottomportion 16 b.

An important feature of the self standing achievement medal of thepresent invention is the support member 36 that is pivotally connectedto body portion 16 for movement between a first folded position shown inFIG. 2 of the drawings and a second extended position shown in FIG. 3 ofthe drawings. As best seen in FIG. 1, support member 36 is generally “U”shaped in configuration and includes a pair of spaced apart, generallyparallel legs 38 and 40. Connected to and spanning legs 38 and 40, isbight portion 42. Bight portion 42 includes a centrally disposed flatportion 42 a to provide better engagement with the supporting surface(see FIG. 3). Legs 38 and 40 of the bight portion 42 are provided withbores 43 that are adapted to closely receive pivot pins 26 and 28 in themanner indicated in FIG. 7 of the drawings so that the leg is able topivot about the pivot pins. As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings,when the support member 36 is in its folded configuration the curvedbight portion 42 is disposed in close proximity with said curved lowerportion of body 16.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings and described in thepreceding paragraphs, when the recipient desires to wear the medalassembly about his or her neck, support member 36 is folded into thestowed position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. When the recipientdesires to display the medal on a desk top, bookshelf or the like,support member 36 is pivoted about pivot pins 26 and 28 into theextended position shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, wherein the lowerportion 16 b of the body and the flat 42 a of the support member engagethe supporting surface in a manner to clearly display to the observerthe indicia provided on the face of the medal assembly.

Referring next to FIGS. 8 through 10 of the drawings, an alternate formof the self standing achievement medal of the invention is there shownand generally designated by the numeral 54. This latest form of theachievement medal of the invention is similar in some respects to thatshown in FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings and here comprises agenerally circular shaped body 56 having a front substantially flat,plate-like display surface 58, a rear surface 60 (FIG. 9), and acontinuous peripheral portion in the form of an outer rim or sidewall.An upstanding decorative, rim-like overlay 61 is affixed to the upperportion of the body. As in the earlier described embodiment of theinvention, a wide variety of decorative and informative indicia can beaffixed to and imprinted on overlay 61 and on display surface 58

Body 56 has a first side 62 having an intermediate portion 62 a and asecond side 64 having an intermediate portion 64 a. For a purposepresently to be described, a first pivot pin 66 is connected to andextends outwardly from first side 62 proximate the intermediate portion62 a thereof. Similarly, a second pivot pin 68 is connected to andextends outwardly from second side 64 proximate the intermediate portion64 a thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings, rim-like overlay 61 includes acurved top portion 61a having an aperture 70 provided therein that isadapted to receive a length of neck ribbon and can be used to supportthe medal about the recipients neck in a conventional manner.

As in the earlier embodiment, an important feature of the self standingachievement medal of this latest form of the present invention is thesupport member 76 that is pivotally connected to body portion 62 formovement between a first folded position shown in FIG. 10 of thedrawings and a second extended position shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings.As best seen in FIG. 9, support member 76 is generally “U”-shaped inconfiguration and includes a pair of spaced apart curved legs 78 and 80.Connected to and spanning legs 78 and 80, is bight portion 82. Bightportion 82 includes a centrally disposed flat portion 82 a to providebetter engagement with the supporting surface (see FIG. 8). Legs 78 and80 of the bight portion 82 are provided with bores 83 (see FIG. 10) thatare adapted to closely receive pivot pins 66 and 68 in the mannerindicated in the drawings.

As the construction illustrates in the drawings and described in thepreceding paragraphs, when the recipient desires to wear the medalassembly about his or her neck, support member 76 is folded into thestowed position shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. When the recipientdesires to display the medal on a desk top, bookshelf or the like,support member 76 is pivoted about pivot pins 66 and 68 into theextended position shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, wherein the lowerportion of the body and the flat portion 82 a of the support memberengage the supporting surface in a manner to clearly display to theobserver the indicia provided on the face of the medal assembly.

Turning now to FIGS. 11 through 16 of the drawings, still another formof the self standing achievement medal of the invention is there shownand generally designated by the numeral 94. This latest form of theachievement medal of the invention is also similar in some respects tothat shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings and here comprises auniquely shaped body 96 having a front display surface 98, a rearsurface 100, and a peripheral portion in the form of an outer rim orsidewall 102. An upstanding, generally circular decorative overlay 104is affixed to body 96. Decorative overlay 104 here simulates a ball.However, a variety of decorative overlays of different configurationscan be affixed to body 96 to simulate other articles.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 16, body 96 has a first face portion 106having an upper portion 106 a, a lower portion 106 b and an intermediateportion 106 c. Similarly, body 96 has first and second sides 108 and110. Side 108 has a bore 108 a, while side 110 has a bore 110 a (FIG.12). The purpose of these bores will presently be described. Upperportion 106 a of face portion 106 is provided with an attractivelyshaped, generally triangular aperture 109 and a rectangular shapedaperture 109 a and has imprinted thereon a plurality of designs, hereshown as star designs 111. Lower portion 106 c of face portion 106 isalso provided with an attractively shaped four sided aperture 113.However, it is to be understood that a variety of different types ofdecorative designs can be imprinted on lower portion 106 b and upperportion 106 a of body 96. If desired, a variety of different types ofdecorative designs or other indicia can also be imprinted on lower andintermediate portions 106 c and 106 b.

An important feature of the self standing achievement medal of thislatest form of the invention is a support member 114 that is pivotallyconnected to body portion 96 for movement between a first foldedposition shown by the solid lines in FIG. 14 of the drawings and asecond extended position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 14. As bestseen in FIG. 12, support member 114 is generally “U”-shaped inconfiguration and includes a pair of spaced apart, generally parallellegs 116 and 118. Connected to and spanning legs 116 and 118, is bightportion 120. Bight portion 120 includes a centrally disposed flatportion 120 a to provide better engagement with the supporting surface(see FIG. 16). Legs 116 and 118 are provided with outwardly extendingpivot protuberances 122 and 124 respectively (FIG. 12) that are adaptedto be closely received within bores 108 a and 110 a respectively in themanner indicated in FIGS. 12, 14 and 16 of the drawings. As illustratedby the solid lines in FIG. 14, when the support member 114 is in itsfolded configuration, the bight portion 120 is disposed in closeproximity with the lower portion 106 b of body 96.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings and described in thepreceding paragraphs, when the recipient desires to wear the medalassembly about his or her neck, support member 114 is folded into thestowed position shown by the solid lines in FIG. 14 of the drawings.When the recipient desires to display the medal on a desk top, bookshelfor the like, support member 114 is pivoted about pivot protuberances 122and 124 into the extended position shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 14wherein the lower portion of the body and the flat of the support memberengage the supporting surface in a manner to clearly display to theobserver the indicia and designs provided on the face of the medalassembly.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with therequirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will haveno difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individualparts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirementsor conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth inthe following claims:

1. A self standing achievement medal comprising: (a) a body having afront display surface, a rear surface, a first side and a second side,said first side having a first bore and said second side having a secondbore; (b) decorative overlay affixed to said upper portion of said body;and (c) a support member connected to said body portion for movementbetween a first folded position and a second extended position, saidfirst side of said support member having a first protuberance receivedwithin said first bore and said second side of said support memberhaving a second protuberance received within said second bore.
 2. Theself standing achievement medal as defined in claim 1 in which saiddecorative overlay is circular in shape.
 3. The self standingachievement medal as defined in claim 1 in which said support member isgenerally “U”-shaped and includes first and second legs interconnectedby a curved bight portion.
 4. The self standing achievement medal asdefined in claim 3 in which said bight portion of said “U”-shapedsupport member is disposed in close proximity with said lower portion ofsaid body when said support member is in said first folded position. 5.A self standing achievement medal comprising: (a) a body having a frontdisplay surface having an upper portion having an aperture formedtherein; a rear surface; a first side having a first bore; and a secondside having a second bore; (b) a circular shaped decorative overlayaffixed to said front display surface; and (c) a support memberpivotally connected to said body portion for movement between a firstfolded position and a second extended position, said support memberbeing generally “U”-shaped and having first and second legsinterconnected by a bight portion, said first leg having a firstprotuberance received within said first bore and said second leg havinga second protuberance received within said second bore.
 6. The selfstanding achievement medal as defined in claim 5 in which said bightportion of said support member is provided with a surface engaging flat.7. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 5 furtherincluding indicia formed on said front display surface.
 8. The selfstanding achievement medal as defined in claim 5 in which said bightportion of said “U”-shaped support member is curved and is disposed inclose proximity with said lower portion of said body when said supportmember is in said first folded position.
 9. A self standing achievementmedal comprising: (a) a body having a front display surface havingindicia formed thereon said front display surface having an upperportion having an aperture formed therein; a rear surface; a first sidehaving a first bore; and a second side having a second bore; (b) acircular shaped decorative overlay affixed to said upper portion of saidfront display surface; and (c) a support member pivotally connected tosaid body portion for movement between a first folded position and asecond extended position, said support member being generally “U”-shapedand having first and second legs interconnected by a bight portion, saidbight portion having a surface engaging flat, said first leg having afirst protuberance received within said first bore and said second leghaving a second protuberance received within said second bore.
 10. Theself standing achievement medal as defined in claim 9 in which saidbight portion of said “U”-shaped support member is curved and isdisposed in close proximity with said lower portion of said body whensaid support member is in said first folded position.